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Mechanical Engineering at University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
76
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,228/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 32.8x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mechanical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $880K $838K $715K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 34.5x 32.8x 28.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.3x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 76 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,524
Out-of-state: $114,636 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,404
0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,131
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,291
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $76,228 at University of Florida come in 8% above the national median of $70,527 for Mechanical Engineering programs.

The 32.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $76,228 far exceeding the $18,131 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #10 out of 320 programs, University of Florida's Mechanical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $76,228 to $94,291 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Florida

University of Florida accepts 24% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 34,102 in Gainesville, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Florida →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 320 schools offering Mechanical Engineering →

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

California State University Maritime Academy ($92,315) Duke University ($89,938) University of California-Berkeley ($88,497) Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($87,590) Cornell University ($85,440) Princeton University ($85,328) University of Notre Dame ($84,999) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($83,957)

Compare Mechanical Engineering

University of Florida vs California State University Maritime Academy → University of Florida vs University of California-Berkeley →

Other Majors at University of Florida

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($90,651) Computer Engineering ($87,949) Chemical Engineering ($87,164) Fire Protection ($86,740) Systems Engineering ($85,698) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,243) Construction Engineering Technologies ($79,410) Materials Engineering ($79,200)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Florida's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 76/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Florida's Mechanical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Mechanical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mechanical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Florida rank so high for Mechanical Engineering?
The #10 ranking out of 320 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →